NCJ Number
58914
Date Published
1979
Length
33 pages
Annotation
THE STATUS OFFENDER PROGRAM (SOS) OF TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS, IS DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT; TYPES OF SERVICES, FUNDING, AND PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE HIGHLIGHTED.
Abstract
IN RESPONSE TO FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND THE GROWING CONCERN BY MANY TO SEEK OUT AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE STATUS OFFENDER, TARRANT COUNTY OFFICIALS DEVELOPED THE SOS SECTION WITHIN THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT IN 1976. FUNDING WAS ACHIEVED THROUGH COOPERATION BETWEEN THE COUNTY, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, AND LEAA. SINCE 1976, PARTICIPATION HAS INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY AS PROGRAM SUCCESS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED. EARLY IN THE PROJECT IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE JUVENILE COURT WOULD RETAIN JURISDICTION OVER THE STATUS OFFENDER AND THE SOS PROGRAM WOULD WORK OUTSIDE THE COURT STRUCTURE. AN INFORMAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CHILD, HIS PARENTS, AND THE SOS STAFF IS REACHED IN EACH CASE. NO PETITION IS FILED IN JUVENILE COURT AND NO COERCIVE MEASURES ARE APPLIED. DIRECT SERVICES OF THE SOS COUNSELORS, PURCHASED AND REFERRAL SERVICES FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND PRIVATE SOCIAL AGENCIES ARE USED TO 'TURN AROUND' THE YOUTH INVOLVED. THE STAFF WORKS DIRECTLY WITH THE CLIENT AND HIS FAMILY AND SCHOOL ON AN INTENSIVE BASIS. IN 1978, THE SOS STAFF RECORDED 15,578 COUNSELING SESSIONS, MORE THAN 1,550 PER CASEWORKER. WHEN DEEMED NECESSARY, CLIENTS ARE REFERRED TO COMMUNITY AGENCIES SUCH AS THE TEXAS REHABILITATION COMMISSION, COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS, FOSTER HOMES, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES, AND SPECIALIZED FAMILY COUNSELING. DURING 1976, 925 WERE REFERRED TO THE STATUS OFFENDER UNIT FOR TRUANCY AND RUNAWAY. THE FOLLOWING YEAR REFLECTED AN OVERALL 9.2 PERCENT DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS FOR CRIMINAL OFFENSES. THE DECREASE IN THEFT ALONE WAS OVER 30 PERCENT. LOCAL AUTHORITIES ATTRIBUTE A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THIS SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN JUVENILE CRIME TO THE EARLY INTERVENTION OF THE STATUS OFFENDER PROGRAM IN THE PRECEDING YEAR. THE OPINION OF SCHOOL OFFICIALS REGARDING THE PROGRAM IS EXTREMELY FAVARABLE. THE KEY TO PROGRAM SUCCESS IS THE REINTERGRATION OF THE YOUTH INTO HIS FAMILY, SCHOOL, THE COMMUNITY AND AWAY FROM THE COURTS AND DETENTION FACILITIES. FOOTNOTES AND APPENDIXES ARE PROVIDED IN THE REPORT. (LWM)